Nate Ollie, the Atlanta Falcons’ new defensive line coach, is in a familiar situation as he enters 2025 with defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus. This mirrors his experience in 2022 with Dayo Odeyingbo of the Indianapolis Colts. The Falcons selected Dorlus from Oregon in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Dorlus played two games, taking 19 defensive snaps and making three tackles.
Ollie’s first year with the Colts saw him working with Odeyingbo, who was entering his second season after being drafted from Vanderbilt. Odeyingbo had played ten games as a rookie after recovering from an Achilles injury, recording half a sack and six tackles.
“I got to see Dayo for two years grow,” Ollie stated, reflecting on his time coaching Odeyingbo.
Under Ollie’s guidance, Odeyingbo improved significantly in subsequent seasons. In 2022, he recorded five sacks and increased these numbers further in 2023. Ollie hopes for similar growth for Dorlus.
“Just watching him, seeing him grow in that type of role, it’ll be fun,” said Ollie about Dorlus’s potential development.
Dorlus has shown promise with physical traits comparable to Odeyingbo’s but possesses unique abilities that could make him an effective pass rusher for the Falcons.
“Brandon is like our special, what you call, a utility weapon,” Ollie remarked regarding Dorlus’s versatility on the field.
Dorlus himself expressed enthusiasm about playing various positions along the defensive line: “It’s very similar to what I played in college.”
The transition from Year 1 to Year 2 is often crucial for NFL players. If Ollie can guide Dorlus similarly to how he did with Odeyingbo, it could lead to significant success for the young player by the end of his rookie contract in 2028.
“Really just excited about working with Dorlus,” said Ollie on unlocking Dorlus’s full potential.
